Advocates Convene at the Fifth ASLA Licensure Summit
Landscape architects from around the country discuss state advocacy and licensure in the Green Mountain State.

48 licensure advocates from 42 states and the District of Columbia gathered to share their licensure experience.

Last weekend, 48 licensure advocates from 42 states and the District of Columbia convened in Burlington, Vermont, for the 2006 ASLA Licensure Summit.  This is the fifth time that ASLA has brought together members from across the nation to share their licensure campaign experience.  Since the first summit was held in November 2001, 168 landscape architects have participated from every state in the nation, except Wyoming.  The primary goal of each Licensure Summit is to give ample opportunity for state delegates to share the lessons learned from past, present, and pending advocacy campaigns.  The experiences include [[discussion of?]] proactive legislation to establish licensure or improve the licensing laws, as well as campaigns that defend the profession from attacks in sunset review or other venues.

After a welcome reception on Friday, June 2, the program kicked off on Saturday morning with an advocacy seminar that outlined the basics of lobbying and provided tips for legislative negotiation.  The session also required landscape architects to plan for a mock session in which they negotiated over the language in legislation.  During the afternoon, each state gave an update on advocacy in that state, including more than 10 states that either have had legislative active this year or who are in the strategy phase for legislation anticipated within the next year.  West Virginia (with its new practice act going into effect in July), New Hampshire, and Colorado celebrated their legislative successes, even as the group discussed the impact of Colorado Governor Owens’ veto of the licensure legislation.  The New Hampshire legislation hasn’t been signed yet, but all three of these states had important lessons to share. 

When the group reconvened on Sunday, they divided into breakout groups to roll up their proverbial sleeves and tackle some crucial situations.  The remaining title act states—Washington, Maine, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts—developed an impromptu coalition to continue their conversation over the coming year.  Others considered the challenges that remain even after the enactment of a practice act or the benefits of building coalitions.   During the final session, the summiteers discussed the impact of mandatory continuing education on licensees and the need for standardization of requirements among the states. ASLA is currently developing a proposal that would enable all landscape architectural organizations to participate in a system to address standards for mandatory continuing education.

The ASLA Licensure Summit is an event designed to provide information and assistance to chapters at all phases of the licensure continuum, even those who have long held a stable practice act.  Next year, ASLA expects to hold the event in another of the states that is actively seeking legislation for a practice act.  If you would like more information about the summit or state advocacy, please contact Government Affairs Director Julia Lent at jlent@asla.org.